Hello Doc. Wohl, I've been reading couple websites and it states that HIV-2 antibodies can take 6 months to be detected on a test. If this is the case, can the HIV-1/2 antibody test at 3 months be conclusive?

Please please answer this question as I've looked all over the web and have not found a definitive answer for the same.

Response from Dr. Wohl

The problem with the internet is that it is hard to tell when information posted was written. Modern HIV testing can detect antibodies to HIV much sooner than older tests. At 3 months if the test is negative for HIV-1 or HIV-2, you are negative.

This forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not rendering medical, mental health, legal or other professional advice or services. If you have or suspect you may have a medical, mental health, legal or other problem that requires advice, consult your own caregiver, attorney or other qualified professional.

Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither TheBody.com nor any advertiser is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 750 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.